Castle Hill Hospital have revealed they will be offering complimentary therapies for people who have survived cancer, or are currently receiving treatment.

It will be run entirely by volunteers and qualified nurses, who will donate their time and expertise to enhance the well-being and happiness of those who are undergoing or have been through cancer treatments.

The new service will offer reflexology, pedicures, manicures, facials and gentle massage and has been initiated by Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust’s Survivorship Team.

Sarah Guest, clinical nurse specialist based at the Queen’s Centre for Oncology and Haematology, came up with the idea for the therapies with the rest of the Living Beyond Team.

She said: “Being diagnosed with cancer at any age can bring on many different emotions.

The Living Beyond Team at Queen's Centre, Castle Hill Hospital, will provide patients with a variety of treatments (Image: Rob Stebbing)

“Complimentary therapies are a fantastic way of helping people to relax. The workers are all there on a voluntary bases and provide everything from mini facials, reflexology and non-invasive manicures and pedicures.”

Alongside the therapies, the Living Beyond Team provide a wig service where they provide and fit wigs and headscarves.

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Sarah said: “We wanted it to be a one stop shop. The patients aren’t uncomfortable getting their wigs from us like they might be if they had to go across town to a store, it can be tiring.”

The patients are able to find a support network within the therapy days. The group also runs 'Look good, feel better', a two-hour session for those who have been through cancer treatment.

The complementary therapy service will run every Monday and Tuesday at the Queen’s Centre in Cottingham, and each treatment typically lasts for an hour.

Therapists will always ensure each treatment is safe to be combined with a patient’s medication or course of cancer treatment before they begin.

“The therapists providing the treatments for us are doing so in their own time, and we are so grateful for this,” Sarah continued.

“Being able to offer out patients a way of relaxing and taking time out for themselves will really help to enhance the range of services our team already offers, and will be a welcome distraction at what can be a very difficult time.”

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Patients are being invited to make bookings now, prior to the service launching at the start of September.

Patients will not be charged for treatments, but will be asked for a contribution which will then be invested back into the Survivorship Team and its work to support people living with and beyond cancer.

For more information, contact the Survivorship Team on (01482) 461091.